Wearable Accessory

ABSTRACT

A wearable accessory typically worn on the back, or dorsal side, of a hand intermediate the wrist and finger, or on the top, or dorsal side, of a foot intermediate the ankle and toe. The wearable accessory includes an endless elastic band sized and shaped such that when stretched from its relaxed state fits snugly around a wearer&#39;s finger and wrist or around a wearer&#39;s toe and ankle, a bail member slidably secured to the elastic band for displaying a wearable device, a fastening arrangement for securing the bail member to the elastic band, and a mounting assembly for removably mounting a wearable device, such as a gemstone, a watch, a personal alarm or other electronic devices, on the bail member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wearable accessories worn byindividuals, and more specifically to a wearable accessory that mountsan ornamental object, such as a jewel, or an electronic device, such asa pedometer, a glucose monitor, a physical activity tracking device, aphone, a watch, a personal alarm, or a global positioning system (GPS)device, to be worn on a hand or foot.

Wearable accessories worn by individuals on a hand or wrist are wellknown. Typically, such wearable accessories have a decorative functionand are worn on a finger or wrist in the form of a ring or a bracelet,respectively, and are used to display one or more jewels, charms, orother ornamental objects.

Wearable accessories worn on an ankle or toe are also well known.Similar to finger rings and wrist bracelets, toe rings and anklebracelets are also used to display one or more jewels, charms, or otherornamental objects.

Electronic wearable devices are also known that track physicalactivities and measure data such as the number of steps walked, heartrate, quality of sleep, steps climbed, distance walked or run, caloriesburned, and other personal metrics involved in fitness. Typically,however, such devices are attached to a user's wrist, forearm or bicepby a strap or bracelet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wearable accessory to be worn on the back, or dorsal side, of a handintermediate the wrist and finger, or on the top, or dorsal side, of afoot intermediate the ankle and toe. The wearable accessory includes anendless elastic band sized and shaped such that when stretched from itsrelaxed state fits snugly around a wearer's finger and wrist or around awearer's toe and ankle, a bail member slidably secured to the elasticband, a fastening arrangement securing the bail member to the elasticband, and a mounting assembly for removably mounting a wearable deviceon the bail member. The mounting assembly allows a person wearing thepresent accessory to easily and quickly interchange numerous differentwearable devices on the bail member.

The endless elastic band forms a forward or digit loop at one end, arearward or anchor loop at its opposite end, and a pair of elongatesections extending between the forward digit loop and the rearwardanchor loop. In a first embodiment, the bail member is secured to theelastic band by a fastening arrangement that includes a first prongmember projecting from one side of the bail member forming an openingthat slidably receives therein one of the elongate sections of theelastic band, and a second prong member projecting from the other sideof the bail member forming an opening that slidably receives therein theother elongate section of the elastic band. In a second embodiment, thebail member has a passageway extending therethrough that slidablyreceives therein both of the elongate sections of the elastic band. Ineither embodiment, the fastening arrangement permits the bail member toslide on the elongate sections of the elastic band between a forwardposition adjacent the forward digit loop, that is, near a finger or toe,a rearward position adjacent the rearward anchor loop, that is, near awrist or ankle, and a plurality of intermediate positions between theforward and rearward positions. The fastening arrangement for the bailmember positions the elongate sections of the elastic band adjacent oneanother to thereby minimize slack in the elastic band. Both the prongmembers of the first embodiment as well as the passageway of the secondembodiment engage the elongate sections of the elastic band withsufficient frictional force to secure and hold the bail member at any ofthe forward, rearward or intermediate positions on the hand or foot, butthe securement force is not so great that it prevents sliding movementof the bail member when a user grasps the bail member and applies amanual force to slide the bail member to a different position.

Other embodiments include various different mounting assemblies forremovably and interchangeably mounting a wearable device on the bailmember. One particularly advantageous mounting assembly includes amagnet disposed on the bail member, but alternately the magnet could bedisposed on the wearable device itself In other embodiments, themounting arrangement may comprise a snap-in mount, a threaded mount, ahook and loop mount, or a set screw mount.

The wearable device may comprise, for example, an ornamental object,such as a gemstone, other precious stones, a cameo, a glass object,beads, novelty items, or the like. The wearable device may alsocomprise, for example, an electronic device such as a phone, a watch, apersonal alarm, a global positioning system (GPS) device, or electronicmedical devices such as a pedometer, a glucose monitor, or a physicalactivity tracking device. The above listed wearable devices are onlyexamples of the types of wearable devices that may be used, and shouldnot be considered an all-inclusive listing of such devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back or dorsal side of a hand and wristillustrating a wearable accessory constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the wearable accessory of FIG. 1, andfurther illustrating a magnet mounted on a wearable device as one mannerof removably mounting the wearable device on the accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top or dorsal side of a foot andankle illustrating the wearable accessory of FIG. 1 worn thereon;

FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 except illustrating an alternatemanner of wearing the wearable accessory which as shown is on a person'swrist instead of on the back of a person's hand;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 except illustrating analternate manner of wearing the wearable accessory which as shown is ona person's ankle instead of on the top of a person's foot;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 2 except illustrating amagnet mounted in the underside of the bail member as an alternatemanner of removably mounting a wearable device on the accessory of FIGS.1 and 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 2 except illustrating athreaded mount as another alternate manner of removably mounting awearable device on the accessory of FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 2 except illustrating amagnet mounted in the upper side of the bail member as yet anotheralternate manner of removably mounting a wearable device on theaccessory of FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the back or dorsal side of a hand and wristsimilar to FIG. 1 except illustrating an alternate embodiment of awearable accessory constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 of the top or dorsalside of a foot and ankle illustrating the wearable accessory of FIG. 9worn thereon;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged end view of the wearable accessory of FIGS. 9 and10, and further illustrating a magnet mounted on a wearable device asone manner of removably mounting the wearable device on the accessory;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 11 except illustrating amagnet mounted in the underside of the bail member as an alternatemanner of removably mounting a wearable device on the accessory shown inFIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 11 except illustrating athreaded mount as another alternate manner of removably mounting awearable device on the accessory shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 11 except illustrating ahook and loop mount as yet another alternate manner of removablymounting a wearable device on the accessory shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 11 except illustrating aset screw mount as still another alternate manner of removably mountinga wearable device on the accessory shown in FIGS. 9 and 10; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged end view similar to FIG. 11 except illustrating asnap-in mount as a further alternate manner of removably mounting awearable device on the accessory shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a wearableaccessory, generally designated by the number 10, to be worn on a hand12 (FIG. 1) or a foot 14 (FIG. 3) of an individual for displaying awearable device 16, such as an ornamental object illustrated as being aheart-shaped gemstone 17 in FIG. 1. The wearable accessory 10 comprisesan endless elastic band 18 stretchable between a relaxed state and astretched state, a bail member 20 slidably secured to the elastic band18 having the wearable device 16 thereon, a fastening arrangementsecuring the bail member 20 to the elastic band 18 and permitting thebail member 20 to slide forwardly and rearwardly on the elastic band 18,and a mounting assembly for removably mounting the wearable device 16 onthe bail member 20. The mounting assembly allows a person wearing theaccessory 10 to easily and quickly interchange numerous differentwearable devices 16 on the bail member 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, elastic band 18 is sized and shaped such that whenstretched from its relaxed state fits snugly around a wearer's secondfinger 22 and wrist 24. Band 18 thereby forms a forward or digit loop 26at one end, that is, around finger 22, a rearward or anchor loop 28 atits opposite end, that is, around wrist 24, and a pair of elongateconnecting sections 30 and 32 extending between forward digit loop 26and rearward anchor loop 28. The elongate connecting sections 30 and 32of band 18 extend from the forward digit loop 26 along the back, ordorsal side, of a wearer's hand 12, to the rearward anchor loop 28. Theelastic band 18 preferably has an overall length of about four inches toabout twelve inches when in its relaxed state, and an overall length ofabout eight inches to about sixteen inches when in its stretched state.However, band 18 may be longer or shorter than these preferred lengthsdepending upon its specific use and the wearable device being displayed.

Although the forward digit loop 26 of elastic band 18 is illustrated inFIG. 1 as extending around the second finger 22 of hand 12, the forwarddigit loop 26 could also be positioned around any other finger of hand12, including the thumb. Also, elastic band 18 may be composed of anyelastic material, such as rubber, Lycra, Lurex elastic yarn, Spandex, orsimilar materials, including compositions blended with such elasticmaterial, and may have a circular, oval, hexagonal, or rectangular crosssectional shape. Preferably, elastic band 18 is in the form of anelastic braided cord having a circular cross section. Due to its elasticconstruction, elastic band 18 advantageously can stretch and contract sothat it can be worn on, and snugly fit, hands and feet of many differentsizes and shapes. The elastic band will typically have an overall lengthof about four inches to about twelve inches when in its relaxed state,and an overall length of about eight inches to about sixteen inches whenin its stretched state.

The bail member 20 is slidably secured to the elongate connectingsections 30 and 32 of elastic band 18 intermediate the forward digitloop 26 and the rearward anchor loop 28 along the back, or dorsal side,of hand 12. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, bail member 20 comprises a solid body56 having a flat upper surface 58 facing away from hand 12, a flat lowersurface 60 facing toward hand 12, a forward end 62 facing toward finger22, a rearward end 64 facing toward wrist 24, and opposite sidescomprising left side 66 and right side 68, as seen in FIG. 1. Althoughbail member 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 as comprising a circular body34, bail member 20 may be of any desired form or design, such as oval,rectangular, or hexagonal, and although preferably composed of metal,bail member 20 may be composed of any desired material, such as gold,silver, stainless steel, brass, or plastics. It is further to beunderstood that the body 34 of bail member 20 may also be constructed toinclude a picture, a powder puff, a mirror, tobacco, cigarettes, orother personal type items, in addition to the wearable device 16.

In one preferred embodiment, bail member 20 has a mounting assembly thatenables it to display a wearable device 16 thereon. The mountingassembly is constructed so that the wearable device 16 may be removablymounted to bail member 20 which thus enables various different wearabledevices 16 to be interchangeably mounted thereon in a quick and easymanner by a wearer. As shown in FIG. 2, this mounting assembly comprisesa magnet 38 attached to the flat upper surface 58 of body 56 of bailmember 20. Since body 56 is preferably composed of a metal material,such as steel, magnet 38 will inherently magnetically attach to andremain in place on surface 58 by the interaction of magnetic forces. If,however, body 56 is not composed of a metal material, magnet 38 may beattached to surface 58 by adhesive or by suitable mechanical mounts orpins.

The wearable device 16 has a corresponding metal backing plate 40 which,when placed or moved near magnet 38 on surface 58 of body 56 of bailmember 20, will result in the attractive magnetic forces of magnet 38securing device 16 in place on bail member 20. It is to be understoodthat although device 16 is illustrated as having an integral metalbacking plate 40, it is only necessary that device 16 be magneticallyattracted to magnet 38 in some manner for it to be removably secured tobody 34. For example, device 16 may have a metal particle on itssurface, or the metal particle may be imbedded therein, or the device 16itself may be composed partially or completely of a material that ismagnetically attracted to magnet 38.

In an alternate embodiment, the magnet 38 may be attached to thewearable device 16 itself rather than attached to the body 56 of bailmember 20. As is readily apparent, in this alternate embodiment, themagnet 38 will inherently magnetically attach itself to metal backingplate 40 of device 16 or it may be adhesively attached or mechanicallyattached to device 16 by mounts or pins, and body 56 of bail member 20will correspondingly be composed of metal, or of a magneticallyattractable material, or have a metal particle on its surface orimbedded therein. As a result, when device 16 with magnet 38 thereon isplaced or moved near surface 58 of body 56 of bail member 20, themagnetic forces of magnet 38 will securely mount device 16 in place onsurface 58.

FIG. 6 illustrates another alternate magnetic mounting assembly. In theembodiment of FIG. 6, magnet 38 is located in a recess or cavity 70formed in the underside or lower surface 60 of body 56 of bail member20. The magnet 38 is held in recess or cavity 70 by means of an adhesiveor any other suitable means. The magnetic attractant forces of magnet 38will extend upwardly through body 56 so that when device 16 is placed ormoved near surface 58 of body 56 of bail member 20, the magnetic forcesof magnet 38 will securely mount device 16 in place on surface 58.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate mounting assembly where the device 16 isremovably mounted to body 56 of bail member 20 by means of a threadedmount. The threaded mount includes a nut 72 having female threads formedtherein located in a blind bore 74 formed in the upper surface 58 ofbody 56. The nut 72 is held in bore 74 by means of an adhesive or anyother suitable means. A threaded screw 76 having male threads formedthereon projects downwardly from the backing plate 40 of device 16 andmay be turned into or out of nut 72 to mount device 16 on bail member 20or to remove device 16 from bail member 20, respectively. It is alsoapparent that the threaded mount illustrated in FIG. 7 could bereversed, and accomplish the same result of removably mounting device 16on bail member 20. In other words, the nut 72 could be located in thedevice 16, and the screw 76 could be located on the body 56.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another alternate magnetic mounting assembly. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 8, magnet 38 is located in a recess or cavity 78formed in the upper surface 58 of body 56 of bail member 20. The magnet38 is held in recess or cavity 78 by means of an adhesive or any othersuitable means. When device 16 is placed or moved near surface 58 ofbody 56 of bail member 20, the magnetic forces of magnet 38 willsecurely mount device 16 in place on surface 58.

However, it should be noted that in all of the embodiments utilizing amagnet, the magnetic attractive forces of the magnet 38 are sufficientto secure device 16 in place on bail member 20, but these magneticforces are not so great as to permanently secure device 16 on bailmember 20. Thus, device 16 is removable from bail member 20 by applyingsufficient manual pulling forces on device 16 to overcome the attractivemagnetic force of magnet 38 to separate device 16 from bail member 20.In such a manner, one device 16 may be easily removed from bail member20 and replaced by a different wearable device if desired. Thus, the useof magnet 38 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8, as wellas the threaded mount illustrated in FIG. 7, advantageously provides aninterchangeable mounting assembly for removably mounting variouswearable devices on bail member 20.

The wearable accessory 10 includes a fastening arrangement that securesthe bail member 20 to the elastic band 18 and permits the bail member 20to slide forwardly and rearwardly on elastic band 18, As shown in FIGS.1-3, one embodiment of this fastening arrangement includes a pluralityof prong members 42, 44, 46 and 48 that slidably and fixedly secure bailmember 20 to the elongate connecting sections 30 and 32 of elastic band18. Prong members 42 and 44 are adjacent and in-line with one anotherand project laterally from the left side 66 of body 34 while prongmembers 46 and 48 are adjacent and in-line with one another and projectlaterally from the opposite or right side 68 of body 34. As seen best inFIGS. 1 and 2, prong members 42 and 44 each form an opening that engagesand slidably receives the elongate connecting section 30 of elastic band18 while prong members 46 and 48 each also form an opening that engagesand slidably receives the elongate connecting section 32 of elastic band18. Thus, connecting section 30 extends from forward digit loop 26 alongthe back of, or dorsal side of, hand 12 and passes through the openingsformed by prong members 42 and 44 to the rearward anchor loop 28. Inturn, connecting section 32 extends from forward digit loop 26 along theback of, or dorsal side of, hand 12 and passes through the openingsformed by prong members 46 and 48 to the rearward anchor loop 28. Asshown best in FIG. 2, the openings formed by prong members 42, 44, 46and 48 preferably have inner diameters slightly less than the outerdiameter of elastic band 18, which as illustrated is in the form of anelastic braided cord having a circular cross section, so that prongs 42,44, 46 and 48 engage band 18 with sufficient frictional force to secureand fixedly hold bail member 20 thereto, yet also permit bail member 20to be slid to forward, rearward and intermediate positions along theback of hand 12 when grasped and pulled using manual force by a wearerof accessory 10. Prong members 42, 44, 46 and 48 thus secure bail member20 to band 18, but also slidably receive the elongate connectingsections 30 and 32 therein to permit bail member 20 to slide on theelongate connecting sections 30 and 32 between a forward positionadjacent the forward digit loop, a rearward position adjacent therearward anchor loop, and a plurality of intermediate positions betweenthe forward and rearward positions.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, prong members 42 and 46 are positioned onbody 56 to be closely adjacent the forward end 62 of bail member 20, andprongs 44 and 48 are positioned on body 56 to be closely adjacent therearward end 64 of bail member 20. As a result, when accessory 10 isworn by a user, prongs 42 and 46 pull the portions of elongateconnecting sections 30 and 32 of elastic band 18 which extend betweenbail member 20 and forward digit loop 26 inwardly to be closely adjacentone another, and prongs 44 and 48 pull the portions of elongateconnecting sections 30 and 32 of elastic band 18 which extend betweenbail member 20 and rearward anchor loop 28 inwardly to be closelyadjacent one another, to thereby not only create sufficient friction tosecurely hold bail member 20 in place on elastic band 18 but also tominimize slack in the elastic band 18.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the wearable accessory 10 is illustrated as beingworn on the top or dorsal side of foot 14. As shown in FIG. 3, elasticband 18 is sized and shaped such that when stretched from its relaxedstate fits snugly around a wearer's second toe 50 and ankle 52. Band 18thereby forms forward digit loop 26 at one end, that is, around toe 50,rearward anchor loop 28 at its opposite end, that is, around ankle 52,and the pair of elongate connecting sections 30 and 32 extending betweendigit loop 26 and anchor loop 28. In this embodiment, the elongateconnecting sections 30 and 32 of band 18 extend from the forward digitloop 26 along the top, or dorsal side, of a wearer's foot 14, to therearward anchor loop 28. Although the forward digit loop 26 of elasticband 18 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as extending around the second toe 50of foot 14, the forward digit loop 26 could also be positioned aroundany other toe of foot 14, including the big toe. In this embodiment, thebody 34 of bail member 20 is oblong in shape, and the wearable device 16is again illustrated as being an ornamental object, but displaying awearer's name 54, such as “Liz”, instead of displaying the heart-shapedgemstone 17 as in FIG. 1. Other than these differences and beingillustrated as worn on a wearer's foot 14, the wearable accessory 10 ofFIG. 3 is identical to the wearable accessory 10 illustrated anddescribed with respect to FIG. 1, and thus, like numbers are used inFIG. 3 for like components.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the wearable accessory 10 is illustrated as beingworn completely on the wrist 24 of hand 12. As shown in FIG. 4, elasticband 18 is sized and shaped such that when stretched from its relaxedstate fits snugly around a wearer's wrist 24. The forward digit loop 26is located on the palm side of wrist 24 while the rearward anchor loop28 is also located on the palm side of wrist 24, and the pair ofelongate connecting sections 30 and 32 extending between loop 26 andloop 28 extend around wrist 24 from the top or dorsal side of hand 12 tothe palm side of hand 12. In this embodiment, the wearable device 16 isagain illustrated as being an ornamental object, such as theheart-shaped gemstone 17 as in FIG. 1. Other than being illustrated asworn completely on a wearer's wrist 24, the wearable accessory 10 ofFIG. 4 is identical to the wearable accessory 10 illustrated anddescribed with respect to FIG. 1, and thus, like numbers are used inFIG. 4 for like components.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the wearable accessory 10 is illustrated as beingworn completely on the ankle 52 of foot 14. As shown in FIG. 5, elasticband 18 is sized and shaped such that when stretched from its relaxedstate fits snugly around a wearer's ankle 52. The forward digit loop 26is located at the back of the lower part of ankle 52 while the rearwardanchor loop 28 is located at the back of the upper part of ankle 52, andthe pair of elongate connecting sections 30 and 32 extending betweenloop 26 and loop 28 extend around ankle 52 from front to back. In thisembodiment, the body 34 of bail member 20 is oblong in shape, and thewearable device 16 is again illustrated as being an ornamental object,but displaying a wearer's name 54, such as “Liz”, instead of displayingthe heart-shaped gemstone 17 as in FIG. 1. Other than these differencesand being illustrated as worn on a wearer's ankle 52, the wearableaccessory 10 of FIG. 5 is identical to the wearable accessory 10illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 1, and thus, like numbersare used in FIG. 5 for like components.

It should be understood that although the drawings may illustrate, andthe text herein may describe, the wearable device 16 to be an ornamentalobject, the wearable device 16 is not limited to being only ornamentalobjects such as gemstones. Thus, the wearable device 16 to be displayedon bail member 20 may comprise, for example, an ornamental object, suchas a gemstone, other precious stones, a cameo, a glass object, beads,novelty items, or the like. Exemplary gemstones include garnet,amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, pearl, ruby, peridot, sapphire,opal, citrine and topaz. Exemplary precious stones include turquoise,onyx, cat's eye, amber and quartz. However, the wearable device 16 mayalso comprise other wearable personal items such as electronic deviceslike a phone, a watch, a personal alarm for emergencies, a globalpositioning system (GPS) device, or electronic medical devices such as apedometer, a glucose monitor, or a physical activity tracking device.

It should also be understood that although the drawings illustrate, andthe text herein describes, the present invention as using magnet 38 asthe preferred mounting arrangement for removably mounting the wearabledevice 16 on bail member 20, the present invention is not limited tosuch a mounting arrangement. For example, the mounting arrangement forwearable device 16 could also be a snap-in mount, as illustrated in FIG.16, a threaded mount as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 13, a hook and loopmount as illustrated in FIG. 14 , or a set screw mount as illustrated inFIG. 15.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-16, there is illustrated an alternate fasteningarrangement that secures the bail member 20 to the elastic band 18 andpermits the bail member 20 to slide forwardly and rearwardly on elasticband 18, As shown in FIGS. 9-16, this alternate fastening arrangementcomprises a passageway extending through the body 56 of bail member 20from the forward end 62 of body 56 to the rearward end 64 of body 56.Passageway thus forms an opening that engages and slidably receives bothof the elongate connecting sections 30 and 32 of elastic band 18therethrough. Thus, connecting section 30 extends from forward digitloop 26 along the back of, or dorsal side of, hand 12 (FIG. 9), or thetop or dorsal side of foot 14 (FIG. 10), and passes through the openingformed by passageway 80 to the rearward anchor loop 28. Likewise,connecting section 32 extends from forward digit loop 26 along the backof, or dorsal side of, hand 12 (FIG. 9), or the top or dorsal side offoot 14 (FIG. 11), and passes through the opening formed by passageway80 to the rearward anchor loop 28. As shown best in FIGS. 11-16, theopening formed by passageway 80 preferably has an inner diameterslightly less than the combined outer diameters of connecting sections30 and 32 of elastic band 18, which as illustrated is in the form of anelastic braided cord having a circular cross section, so that it engagesband 18 with sufficient frictional force to secure and fixedly hold bailmember 20 thereto, yet also permit bail member 20 to be slid to forward,rearward and intermediate positions along the back of hand 12 whengrasped and pulled using manual force by a wearer of accessory 10.Passageway 80 thus frictionally engages band 18, especially at the edgesof passageway 80 which open to the forward end 62 and rearward end 64 ofbody 56, to secure bail member 20 to band 18, but also slidably receivesthe elongate connecting sections 30 and 32 therein to permit bail member20 to slide on the elongate connecting sections 30 and 32 between aforward position adjacent the forward digit loop, a rearward positionadjacent the rearward anchor loop, and a plurality of intermediatepositions between the forward and rearward positions.

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 2, which utilizes magnet 38 attached to theflat upper surface 58 of body 56 as the mounting assembly to removablymount wearable device 16, except utilizing passageway 80 as thefastening arrangement for bail member 20 to elastic band 18 instead ofprong members 42, 44, 46 and 48. Other than that difference, thewearable accessory 10 of FIG. 11 is identical to the wearable accessory10 illustrated and described with respect to FIG. 2, and thus, likenumbers are used in FIG. 11 for like components.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 6, which utilizes magnet 38 located in recessor cavity 70 formed in the underside or lower surface 60 of body 56 asthe mounting assembly to removably mount wearable device 16, exceptutilizing passageway 80 as the fastening arrangement for bail member 20to elastic band 18 instead of prong members 42, 44, 46 and 48. Otherthan that difference, the wearable accessory 10 of FIG. 12 is identicalto the wearable accessory 10 illustrated and described with respect toFIG. 6, and thus, like numbers are used in FIG. 12 for like components.

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 7, which utilizes a threaded mount having nut72 in body 56 and screw 76 as the mounting assembly to mount wearabledevice 16, except utilizing passageway 80 as the fastening arrangementfor bail member 20 to elastic band 18 instead of prong members 42, 44,46 and 48. Other than that difference, the wearable accessory 10 of FIG.13 is identical to the wearable accessory 10 illustrated and describedwith respect to FIG. 7, and thus, like numbers are used in FIG. 13 forlike components.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIGS. 11-13 which illustrate utilizing passageway80 as the fastening arrangement for bail member 20 to elastic band 18instead of prong members 42, 44, 46 and 48. However, FIG. 14 illustratesa hook and loop mounting assembly to removably mount wearable device 16on body 56 of bail member 20. This hook and loop assembly is ofconventional design and includes a hook member 90 comprised of smallhooks attached to a fabric backing material which in turn is attached toplate 40 of wearable device 16, and a loop member 92 comprised of smallloops attached to a fabric backing material which in turn is attached tothe upper surface 58 of body 56 of bail member 20. When the two members90 and 92 are pressed together the hooks catch in the loops and the twomembers thus fasten or bind device 16 on bail member 20. When separated,by pulling or peeling the two members 9( )and 92 apart, device 16 isremoved from bail member 20. It is also apparent that the hook and loopmount illustrated in FIG. 14 could be reversed, and accomplish the sameresult of removably mounting device 16 on bail member 20. In otherwords, the hook member 90 could be located on the body 56 of bail member20, and the loop member 92 could be located on the wearable device 16.Other than the hook and loop removable mounting assembly describedabove, the wearable accessory 10 of FIG. 14 is identical to the wearableaccessory 10 illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 11-13, andthus, like numbers are used in FIG. 14 for like components.

FIG. 15 is similar to FIGS. 11-14 which illustrate utilizing passageway80 as the fastening arrangement for bail member 20 to elastic band 18instead of prong members 42, 44, 46 and 48. However, FIG. 15 illustratesa conventional set screw mounting assembly to removably mount wearabledevice 16 on body 56 of bail member 20. This set screw assembly includesa hollow boss 82 located in a blind bore 84 formed in the upper surface58 of body 56. The boss 82 is held in bore 84 by means of an adhesive orany other suitable means. A pin 86 projects downwardly from the backingplate 40 of device 16 and may be inserted into boss 82. Once pin 86 isinserted into boss 82, a set screw 88 may be turned into boss 82 toengage pin 86 to hold and mount device 16 on bail member 20 or turnedout of boss 82 to remove device 16 from bail member 20, respectively, ina conventional set screw arrangement. It is also apparent that the setscrew mount illustrated in FIG. 15 could be reversed, and accomplish thesame result of removably mounting device 16 on bail member 20. In otherwords, the boss 82 and set screw 88 could be located in the device 16,and the pin 86 could be located on the body 56. Other than the set screwmounting assembly described above, the wearable accessory 10 of FIG. 15is identical to the wearable accessory 10 illustrated and described withrespect to FIGS. 11-14, and thus, like numbers are used in FIG. 15 forlike components.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIGS. 11-15 which illustrate utilizing passageway80 as the fastening arrangement for bail member 20 to elastic band 18instead of prong members 42, 44, 46 and 48. However, FIG. 16 illustratesa conventional snap-in mounting assembly to removably mount wearabledevice 16 on body 56 of bail member 20. This snap-in assembly includes ahollow boss 94 located in a blind bore 96 formed in the upper surface 58of body 56. The boss 94 is held in bore 96 by means of an adhesive orany other suitable means, and includes an inwardly projecting lip. A pin98 having an expandable tip projects downwardly from the backing plate40 of device 16 and may be inserted into boss 94. As pin 98 is insertedinto boss 94, the tip of pin 98 contracts slightly as it engages the lipof boss 94 and once the tip of pin 98 passes over the inwardlyprojecting lip of boss 94, it expands in boss 94 to hold and mountdevice 16 on bail member 20 or with sufficient force is pulled out ofboss 94 to remove device 16 from bail member 20, respectively, in aconventional snap-in arrangement. It is also apparent that the snap-inmount illustrated in FIG. 16 could be reversed, and accomplish the sameresult of removably mounting device 16 on bail member 20. In otherwords, the boss 94 could be located in the device 16, and the pin 98could be located on the body 56. Other than the snap-in mountingassembly described above, the wearable accessory 10 of FIG. 16 isidentical to the wearable accessory 10 illustrated and described withrespect to FIGS. 11-15, and thus, like numbers are used in FIG. 16 forlike components.

I claim:
 1. A wearable accessory to be worn on a hand or foot,comprising: an endless elastic band stretchable between a relaxed stateand a stretched state, said elastic band including a forward loop at oneend, a rearward loop at its opposite end, and a pair of elongatesections extending between said forward loop and said rearward loop; anda bail member slidably attached to the elongate sections of said elasticband for displaying a wearable device, said bail member including: a) afastening arrangement securing said bail member to the elongate sectionsof said elastic band and permitting said bail member to slide forwardlyand rearwardly on said elongate sections; and b) a mounting assembly forremovably mounting said wearable device on said bail member.
 2. Thewearable accessory of claim 1, wherein said elastic band has an overalllength of about four inches to about twelve inches when in its relaxedstate.
 3. The wearable accessory of claim 1, wherein said elastic bandhas an overall length of about eight inches to about sixteen inches whenin its stretched state.
 4. The wearable accessory of claim 1 whereinsaid bail member comprises a body having a forward end and a rearwardend, and said fastening arrangement comprises a passageway extendingthrough said body from said forward end to said rearward end thatslidably receives therethrough both of the elongate sections of saidelastic band.
 5. The wearable accessory of claim 1, wherein said bailmember comprises a body having a forward end, a rearward end, andopposite sides and said fastening arrangement comprises a first prongmember on one side of said bail member forming an opening that slidablyreceives therethrough one of said elongate sections of said elasticband, and a second prong member on the other side of said bail memberforming an opening that slidably receives therethrough the other of saidelongate sections of said elastic band.
 6. The wearable accessory ofclaim 1, wherein said wearable device is selected from the groupconsisting of an ornamental object, an electronic medical device, aphone, a watch, apersonal alarm, and a global positioning device.
 7. Thewearable accessory of claim 6, wherein said ornamental object comprisesa gemstone.
 8. The wearable accessory of claim 6, wherein saidelectronic medical device is selected from the group consisting of apedometer, a glucose monitor, and a physical activity tracking device.9. The wearable accessory of claim 1, wherein said mounting assemblycomprises a magnet on said bail member.
 10. The wearable accessory ofclaim 1, wherein said mounting assembly comprises a magnet on saidwearable device.
 11. The wearable accessory of claim 1, wherein saidmounting assembly comprises a snap-in mount.
 12. The wearable accessoryof claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly comprises a threaded mount.13. The wearable accessory of claim 1, wherein said mounting assemblycomprises a hook and loop mount.
 14. The wearable accessory of claim 1,wherein said mounting assembly comprises a set screw mount.
 15. Thewearable accessory of claim 1, wherein said elastic band is an elasticbraided cord having a substantially circular cross section.
 16. Thewearable accessory of claim 9 wherein said bail member comprises a bodyhaving an upper surface facing away from a hand or foot, and a lowersurface facing toward a hand or foot, said upper surface having an upperrecess formed therein, and said magnet is mounted in said upper recess.17. The wearable accessory of claim 9 wherein said bail member comprisesa body having an upper surface facing away from a hand or foot, and alower surface facing toward a hand or foot, said lower surface having alower recess formed therein, and said magnet is mounted in said lowerrecess.